NCLEX: How many times is enough?

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I was thinking about posting this question earlier, but decided not to post until I read a thread dealing with the topic. So what do y'all think? If a person hasn't passed the test by the nth time (you change the "n"), should they give it up because they obviously (in your opinion) haven't learned what they need to learn, therefore, would not be a safe practicing nurse?

I think an interesting question (and the makings of a nice bit of research if it hasn't already been done) would be to investigate the correlation between number of attempts to pass and the "quality" of nursing provided upon passing.

Lowering standards does not benefit anyone.

Flame away.

Our entire society is about lowering standards. That's what we do. We invent reasons to lower the bar. I for one don't care how flamed I get on this one. Be honest and ask yourself this question. Would you want a person who failed the NCLEX-RN/LPN 6 times taking care of your infant, your spouse, or you.

Just my :twocents:

[Fire retardent armor in place]

Let the flaming begin

Hi,

You bring up an interesting point. I agree in that if someone cannot pass the NCLEX after several times (6+), then perhaps their place of education should be reviewed, as most nursing schools function to not only prepare for actual clinical work, but to pass the boards so that they can begin working. I do believe it is the job of the school to be thorough and systematic about how they educate their students, and, if a particular student is not meeting the requirements that they feel need to be met so that student can graduate, pass their boards and begin working, then they should be told so.

My point is that I don't believe that schools should allow students who don't look as though they aren't going to be successful to continue in a nursing program, because they owe to that student not to waste their time and money. Nursing isn't like other professions and truly is life or death. I guess here is where I agree with you indirectly-lowering standards hurts everyone involved (the student, the nursing profession and, most importantly, the patient).

With that in mind, I don't believe anyone should give up on their dreams. But, like I mentioned above, perhaps someone who is looking to take the boards for a 7th + time needs to take a radically different approach. The NCLEX is designed to evaluate the ability to think critically, consider the fine details and think beyond what is obvious. A successful nurse, I believe, is one who can do those things while still being the nurse that they would want to take care of their child, parent or, as you said, yourself.

And here is a point that may infuriate others, but is something that I do have feelings about. I feel that a nurse needs to be absolutely proficient in English. Nurses have the amazingly unique opportunity to educate patients to change their lives forever. If a nurse has difficultly communicating because of their English skills, then their patient may loose the valuable education that a nurse provides. I say this because I've personally been in this situation. This goes for the boards as well...if a student is having difficulty with English comprehension during the NCLEX, then how can they accurately read orders etc.? I am sincerely sorry if anyone finds this offensive, it is just how I feel from personal experience.

Anyway...I went off on a tangent. High standards are what makes nursing such a valuable profession that carries respect and high regard for it's members. We shouldn't waiver on that, but we should do what we can to help others as much as we can to meet those standards.

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Is the failure a result of the program? How do you get thru the program and not pass the nclex. According to your rational they should never have gptten thru the program, should they?

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Is the failure a result of the program? How do you get thru the program and not pass the nclex. According to your rational they should never have gptten thru the program, should they?

No-not what I was saying at all. I wasn't saying that if someone can't pass the NCLEX, then they shouldn't have gotten through nursing school. I believe that a test can't predict what kind of nurse you'll be, but the NCLEX is something we HAVE to pass to practice as a nurse, and I would be upset if the nursing school that I invested my time and money in didn't prepare me to pass the test.

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this is a tough one. i say, if it is your dream to become a nurse. try and try again! we all make mistakes at first. i do say 6 or 7 times is a bit much though..just my opinion.

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Our entire society is about lowering standards. That's what we do. We invent reasons to lower the bar. I for one don't care how flamed I get on this one. Be honest and ask yourself this question. Would you want a person who failed the NCLEX-RN/LPN 6 times taking care of your infant, your spouse, or you.

Just my :twocents:

[Fire retardent armor in place]

Let the flaming begin

Hi,

You bring up an interesting point. I agree in that if someone cannot pass the NCLEX after several times (6+), then perhaps their place of education should be reviewed, as most nursing schools function to not only prepare for actual clinical work, but to pass the boards so that they can begin working. I do believe it is the job of the school to be thorough and systematic about how they educate their students, and, if a particular student is not meeting the requirements that they feel need to be met so that student can graduate, pass their boards and begin working, then they should be told so.

My point is that I don't believe that schools should allow students who don't look as though they aren't going to be successful to continue in a nursing program, because they owe to that student not to waste their time and money. Nursing isn't like other professions and truly is life or death. I guess here is where I agree with you indirectly-lowering standards hurts everyone involved (the student, the nursing profession and, most importantly, the patient).

With that in mind, I don't believe anyone should give up on their dreams. But, like I mentioned above, perhaps someone who is looking to take the boards for a 7th + time needs to take a radically different approach. The NCLEX is designed to evaluate the ability to think critically, consider the fine details and think beyond what is obvious. A successful nurse, I believe, is one who can do those things while still being the nurse that they would want to take care of their child, parent or, as you said, yourself.

And here is a point that may infuriate others, but is something that I do have feelings about. I feel that a nurse needs to be absolutely proficient in English. Nurses have the amazingly unique opportunity to educate patients to change their lives forever. If a nurse has difficultly communicating because of their English skills, then their patient may loose the valuable education that a nurse provides. I say this because I've personally been in this situation. This goes for the boards as well...if a student is having difficulty with English comprehension during the NCLEX, then how can they accurately read orders etc.? I am sincerely sorry if anyone finds this offensive, it is just how I feel from personal experience.

Anyway...I went off on a tangent. High standards are what makes nursing such a valuable profession that carries respect and high regard for it's members. We shouldn't waiver on that, but we should do what we can to help others as much as we can to meet those standards.

I be very careful because "do no harm" is the oath we took and should honor. Looking down from an ivory tower isn't the answer. Passing the boards fast or with multiple attempts has nothing to do with the kind of nurse someone is going to be. If you think any of us were perfect nurses the moment we passed those boards without the experience that we get AFTER the boards...then prove it.

Experience and a natural tendency to want to care for people (not passing a test is what makes a good nurse.) That nurse is the one I want taking care of an infant of mine, my elderly parents and myself.

So if you put out that question I will put one out...

- do you want a new nurse the first day on her first job the day after she found out she got the highest score on her boards...

OR

- a nurse with 5 years experience, did average on the boards the second time she took it. Failed the first time because she was so nervous. During her five years on the job.....she Gained the respect of her peers, nominated for best nurse award at the facility she works for, and truly cares for her patients not missing a detail.

which??? Pick which one you want caring for your infant!

passing a test isn't what makes us good nurses. If you know someone failed take them under your wing, go over their study notes, do something out of the kindness of your heart. That is what a good nurse would do.:no:

"high standards" refer to care, skill not test taking, or learning....??? kicking someone out of nursing school because of a subjective physic ability to be able to tell if someone would be a good nurse...Yikes

We didn't enter nursing school already a nurse. YOu enter with a desire and ambition to become a nurse and then you learn, and learn and learn. Some come to class with experience, some never walked in a hospital and both deserve a chance, to be taught, to be given time to grow and develop into a nurse.

And who is the "we" in the sentence about lowering standards? You and who else...?? Because I haven't lowered my standards...and I pray none of the nurses I work with have either. As a matter of fact the co. I work for has increased standards...even techs now need certification and they are giving them 18 months to do it. So standards historically are always being raised.:banghead:

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:clphnds:

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:clphnds:

as many times as it takes

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:D

Well it doesn't matter how many times you try to pass the NCLEX what matters most is that at least you have tried your very best to express your knowledge and learnings from the past. It refers to the saying " try and try until you succeed".

It's just a matter of luck and determination if you will pass the exam or not. But ofcourse you really have to exert more effort on it if you really want to achieve what you want.

Well, it is nice to know that in US you can have the opportunuty to try more times for the license ! Here in Canada you have only 3 times after this....you loose everything: your credits from university, all courses made and passed! So here we are under a huge stress in a minute we can loose all the 4 years of university and 4 years of hard work and passed exams! So...???:nurse:I will need a doctor after! :))

cheers

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The fact that a student has not passed the NCLEX repeatedly in no way is a reflection of the kind of nurse the candidate will be and/or the suitability of the student in the nursing program. The responsibility weighs heavily on the student. However, there are a lot of bad teachers out there who tend to ignore the student who is struggling in the program and instead to help this student, the teacher supports the student who is doing well who really does not need the instructor's attention. This situation is way overlooked when putting the blame on the student for failing to pass the NCLEX. Still, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to compensate for what he/she is not getting out of nursing school because of bad teaching methods. There are so many factors that account for failing to pass the NCLEX...On the other hand, setting those factors aside, personally, I would not give up regardless how many times I may have to take the NCLEX for each time a student fails and decide to retake it, the student is ahead of the game if he/she uses the opportunity to learn what the student is doing wrong and correct it. People in general take a punitive attitude toward failure which compounds the feelings of inadequacy that follows falling the NCLEX. It does not help either people coming up with arbitrary rules and interpretations on what failing the NCLEX more than twice says about the student's character, suitability to be in the nursing program, intelligence, and future skill as a nurse, etc. I salute, express admiration, respect and best wishes to all of you who have not pass the NCLEX more than twice and continue trying for it shows true character and determination to ignore the unkind, unsympathetic remarks and condescending attitudes form those who have no clue of what drives you to continue retaking the NCLEX, and what is more they have no right to judge you. Sincere congratulations to all you who true fighters, Feliz3

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:D

Well, it is nice to know that in US you can have the opportunuty to try more times for the license ! Here in Canada you have only 3 times after this....you loose everything: your credits from university, all courses made and passed! So here we are under a huge stress in a minute we can loose all the 4 years of university and 4 years of hard work and passed exams! So...???:nurse:I will need a doctor after! :))

cheers

That is interesting! So should a student need a fourth try to pass their boards, would they have to go back to school for four years? Or is there a program in place to help remediate the students without making them repeat their college courses? Seems harsh!

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personally i just failed my NCLEX for the 4th time and I am not giving up...would i want someone as a nurse who took the NCLEX 6+ times my answers is a def. YES..I know that person has worked their tail off to pass.. just because someone doesnt pass on their first or second attempt or even thier 11 attempt does not mean they are a bad nurse...iknow people who passed on thier first try that I wouldnt let near any one of my family members

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That is interesting! So should a student need a fourth try to pass their boards, would they have to go back to school for four years? Or is there a program in place to help remediate the students without making them repeat their college courses? Seems harsh!

:banghead:YES IT HAS TO DO IT ALL OVER ... and in Québec beleave-me it is worst...we have 3 days of exams - the 1st one we have OSCE exams (practic for 16 cases with facke people as ill people and some nurses as observers - it si so subjective!) and day 2 and 3 - writting exams !!! And more we have to take all this at Montreal or Quebec City!! (for ex I am from Aylmer a little city near Ottawa but french part) so I have to pay the hotels, food, my "anti-depress pills" heheh and the exam fees is almost 700$ so... tell me it is ok?? I think they do not need us, the guvernment do not want so many nurses end doctors here in canada or quebec whatever! I am so affraid, I am in my 3rd year and I work like a hell!

sorry about my english :((:eek:

cheers

:heartbeat..I would like to know more about NCLEX if it 's possible write me on

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